Schlier press conference held after lawsuit win

Saturday

Mar 22, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Towing company operator Jim Schlier and his attorney, Michael Sweeney of the Lyman & Ash law firm in Philadelphia, held a press conference Friday outside Schlier's Tannersville business office on his lawsuit victory over state police.

Towing company operator Jim Schlier and his attorney, Michael Sweeney of the Lyman & Ash law firm in Philadelphia, held a press conference Friday outside Schlier's Tannersville business office on his lawsuit victory over state police.

A jury this week awarded Schlier and his company, Wreckers International Inc. (Schlier's Towing & Service Center), a total of $3.25 million (not $3.5 million as initially reported by attorneys) on a lawsuit against state police. The jury verdict followed a 12-day trial and 10 hours of deliberation in U.S. District Court in Wilkes-Barre.

Schlier, who provides towing, impound and repair services for state police, had sued state police for removing his company from an approved referral list from September 2002 to September 2006. Schlier saw the removal, which followed disputes over unpaid bills owed by state police, as vindictive.

State police said they agreed to pay Schlier for services for state vehicles, but not for civilian-owned vehicles.

Schlier told reporters Friday that he thanks the jury for the verdict and looks forward to a continued working relationship with state police.

Because the matter might be appealed, it is not known at this time when Schlier and his company will receive the award money. For the same reason, Schlier and Sweeney have declined further comment while state police and their attorneys have declined comment.